Chain



Oct. 19 192s.

W. FORSTN ER CHAIN Filed April 16, 1925 INVENTOR.

[III/[F0721 fins/x161: 362W -KP ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 19, 1926.

iJNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VJILLIAM. FORS'INER, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO FORS'INERCHAIN CORPORATION, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

CHAIN.

Application filed. April 16, 1925.

This invention relates to an improved form of link for connectingtogether the loop-links of a chain section, and has for its object toprovide a connecting link of this character which is formed initially inS-shape and is made of such a size, character and quality of stock as totenaciously resist a straightening out or opening action after havingbeen finally closed to link the parts together, as to offersubstantially the same strength, without having its joints soldered. asthe other links of the chain which are either integral loops or thosethat have their joints soldered.

A further object of this invention is the cutting of the ends of theS-link so that these ends will closely fit against the opposite sides ofits shank portion so as to reduce its opening at the joint to theminimum to render this uusoldered joint as nearly invisible as possible.

A still. further object of this invention is the provision of a band,loop or member through which the shank portion of the S- link extendsand which band extends through both of the eyes of the 8 when its endsare closed, the band being preferably of, a width to cover or hide bothof the end joints giving the S-link the appearance of being termed oftwo separate loop-links connected by the band loops. v

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction, as will be more fully described, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved form of chain showing theconnecting link as having an ornamental link mounted thereon and showingthe connector link as having an ornamental band mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation of the connecting link.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ornamental band separated from thelink.

Figure 4 shows the ornamental band as mounted on the S-shaped link, theends of this link being opened.

Figure 5 shows the ornamental band in section as mounted on the S-shapedlink, the ends of which link are closed.

Figure 6 shows a side elevation of the ornamental band as mounted on theS-link Serial No. 23,520.

with the ends of the link closed, the band being of suflic-ient width toconceal or hide the joints of the link.

Figure 7 is a section on line 77 of Figure 5, showing the abutting endsof the link as hearing closely against the wire of the shank portionthereof.

It is found in the practical construction of chains for personal wear,of advantage to form certain of its links or groups of links so as toobtain a variety of ornamental effects by connecting up links ofdifferent shapes, colors and finish, and in order to readily connect upthese different linksor groups of links by a link which does not requireits joints to be soldered, I have adopted a link substantially in theform of the letter 5 and of a wire whose stillness and strength whenclosed into finished shape with unsoldered joints, is capable ofresisting an opening strain substantially equal to that of the otherlinks of the chain which are of one piece or which have soldered joints,it being pointed out that a link of S-shape is capable of resistingapproximately twice the opening strain as the usual ring link, owing tothe fact that the middle continuous integral shank portion thereof takeshalt the strain of both of its loops and this portion cannot yield. Asit is found in some cases of advantage to cover up or hide theunsoldered joints of this S-link, I have threaded the 8 through a bandmember and set the band in such a way that when the ends of the S areclosed the band extends through both of the loops or eyes formed therebyand being thus supported serve to effectually cover or hide both jointsthereof thus causing the S-link to present the appearance of twoseparate ring links connected by this band member. the latter beingcapable of being formed of quite a difierent colored material, ifdesired lending variety to the ornamental appearance of the chain; andthe following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of'myinvention showing one construction by which these advantageous resultsmay be accomplished WVith reference to the drawings, 10 designates theloop links of a chain, which may be formed integral or with solderedjoints, and 11 shows another form of link which connects the elongatedlink and which may also be provided with soldered joints and thesegroups or links 10 and 11 may be subjected to the same treatment orcoloring, if desired, and another desired ornamentation may be appliedto the center of the loop link 10 of a color different from that of thelink, if desired.

The essential feature of this invention is the provision of an S-shapedconnecting link 12 which is preferably of a material which presents aresistance to spreading or opening which is as great or greater thanthat of the wire of the other links of the chain so that the ends 13 ofthis link may close or open the shank portion 14 thereof, and willresist without being soldered any of the usual strains to which a whole,chain may be subjected.

In some instances, it is found of advantage to form a band loop 15 andto pass the shank 14- of the S-link through this band so that when theends 13 of this link are closed upon the shank thereof this band willcover or hide these joints 16 of this link. Thus it will be seen thatthe $-shaped link takes on an entirely different appearance which is,instead of being of S-shape, it will appear like two separate ring linksjoined by a band 15. This band as it is not required to be attached bysolder to the g-link may be previously treated independently of theS-link to take on a different color and lend a further variety ofornamental colors to the chain.

- In other instances, I have found it of advantage to cut the ends ofthe wire of the S-link on an angle so that when closed they will lieparallel with the face of the shank to close the joint opening. 7

In still other cases, I have found it of advantage to even groove theseend portions of the wire so as to conform to the contour of the shank ofthe S and so again reduce the joint opening to the minimum.

lvIy improved construction of chain may be made very ornamental and bythe use of the ornamental band on the S-shaped link, the joints of thislink are entirely c0ncealed and the chain rendered much more attractive.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the constructionillustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve theprivilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the deviceis susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by theterms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A chain structure comprising loop-links connected by an S-shapedlink, the shank portion of the S-link being diagonally disposed to thelongitudinal extension of the ciiain, the end of each eye portion of the'S-link ahu tin against its shank 'ortion and a band member extendingthrough both of the eyes of said S-link to cover the abutting jointsthereof.

2. A chain structure comprising looplinks connected by S-shaped'linksthe shank poition of the Slink being diagonally disposed to thelongitudinal extension of the chain the end of each eye portion of theS-link abutting against its shank portion, and a band member extendingthrough both eyes of the $5 and of a width to cover the joint ends ofthe S, the shank portion of said S-link also extending through saidband.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature IVILLIAM FOBS'INER

